27 July 2004
Frost-covered dunes develop spots and streaks as they begin to defrost in springtime. This April 2004 Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a suite of north polar dunes in the early stages of the defrosting process. At the time the image was acquired, Mars was only 1 month into the northern spring season. The picture is located near 75.9°N, 266.0°W, and is illuminated by sunlight from the lower left. The image covers an area about 3 km (1.9 mi) wide.
Name | Value | Additional Values |
---|---|---|
Target | Mars | |
System | ||
Target Type | Planet | |
Mission | Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) | |
Instrument Host | Mars Global Surveyor | |
Host Type | Orbiter | |
Instrument | Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) | |
Detector | ||
Extra Keywords | Dune, Grayscale | |
Acquisition Date | ||
Release Date | 2004-07-27 | |
Date in Caption | 2004-07-27 | |
Image Credit | NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems | |
Source | photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA06724 | |
Identifier | PIA06724 |